Christians, It Is Okay To Be Sad
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Christians, It Is Okay To Be Sad

Never feel shame for your emotions and for your broken heart because of the faith you claim.

348
Christians, It Is Okay To Be Sad
Grub Street

People seem to assume that because I am a Christian, I am magically immune to pain; that somehow, because of my faith, I shouldn't feel sadness.

“Don’t feel sad,” Christians say. Or, “Just go to God with it.” 
Oh, you’ve cured me, thank you. Suddenly the onslaught of problems in my life lately have all instantaneously vanished.

Of course that's not how it works. Christians go through just as many hardships as anyone, and we still have hearts and emotions that are naturally going to be broken when we face exceptionally hard points in our lives. God never promises an easy life full of happiness and sunshine for His followers—in John 16:33, He actually promises us tribulation in this world.

In Romans 9:2, Paul says "I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart." Paul was one of the greatest and most wholehearted followers of God and even he went through times where he was absolutely heartbroken.


Christians, it is okay to be sad.

It is okay to lay in bed for hours and listen to sad music when your heart feels like it might fall apart. It is okay to cry and cry until you feel like you can't cry anymore. This does not mean you lack the joy of the Lord, nor does it mean you have any less faith in God. He feels our pain. Jesus laughs and rejoices with us, and he also cries with us.

John 11:35: "Jesus wept." Christ Jesus Himself wept and mourned and cried out, "Why, God?" (Matthew 27:46) just like us.

Having the joy of the Lord doesn't mean we can't cry it out with a bowl of ice cream. It means that amidst our grief, we have peace and comfort in God. It means we have confidence that though "weeping may last through the night, joy comes with the mo(u)rning." (Psalm 30:5) It means we trust that though we hurt now, our pain is "for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28) We have hope that "He has delivered us from peril and He will deliver us again...He will continue to deliver us" (2 Corinthians 1:10).

The saying goes that "time heals all wounds"; I've found this to be generally true, but I have also learned that some wounds go so deep that even time itself cannot touch them. It's not time itself that heals—it is the God who created time itself.

Christians, you are allowed to be sad. You are allowed to cry and hurt and go to sleep because you've had enough. Your faith is not less in any way because of this. Never feel shame for your emotions and for your broken heart. The good news is that though we weep, God is still sovereign, and God is still good to us. We know that our suffering and our sadness will always come to an end if we still allow our almighty Father to hold our hearts. Praise be to Him for that.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

75491
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

47154
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

977659
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments